were off their guard, killed three men and stole two boats.  A battle was the consequence, when twenty of the savages were left dead on the field, and four women, two boys and three girls were taken prisoners, and brought to Newfoundland.  Among the women prisoners were MIKAK; one of the boys was her son; the other, Karpik, about fifteen years of age, had previously lost his mother, and his father fell in the engagement.  Their own story forms a remarkable episode in the history of the mission.  These three were sent to England, where they were treated with much kindness.

Mikak, who seems to have been a person of very superior understanding, was noticed by many of the nobility, and particularly by the Princess Dowager of Wales, mother to George III; but nothing could overcome her love for her native land, or erase from her mind the deep sense she entertained of the sufferings of her kindred.  We are not furnished with the facts of the case, but it appears sufficiently plain, that from all she saw in England, and during the time of her captivity, that she discerned and appreciated the immense superiority of the Europeans over the Esquimaux, and was extremely anxious to return home, and, if possible, carry with her the means of their amelioration.  Providentially Jans Haven came to England in 1769 for the purpose of endeavouring to renew the mission, and meeting with Mikak, she immediately recognised him as an old acquaintance, who had formerly lodged in her tent, and expressed the most unbounded joy at meeting with a friend by whom her language was understood.  Her first and constant theme was the condition of her countrymen; and she incessantly entreated Haven to return to Labrador and endeavour to do something for their relief.  Besides, now that she had a medium of communication, she never ceased to urge her prayer among those distinguished personages, by whom she had been patronized, and her applications had no small influence in paving the way for a renewal of the mission.  Soon after she was sent home in a King’s ship, and rendered essential service to the brethren who followed.

By the especial direction of Sir Hugh Palliser, Karpik was consigned to the care of Jans Haven for the purpose of being properly educated, that he might afterwards be employed in the important service of introducing Christianity, and the peaceful arts of civilized life, into the savage and inhospitable coasts of Labrador—­the Governor being deeply impressed with a sense of the great benefits to be derived from a well conducted mission among the wild tribes in the neighbourhood of the colony, with whom they meant to carry on a safe or a gainful traffic.  Naturally ferocious and untractable, Karpik was very averse to restraint; and it was not till after the most unwearied display of disinterested kindness, that Jans succeeded in gaining the affections of this stubborn boy, and persuading him willingly to accompany him to his dwelling.